Millennium Research Group (MRG; Waltham, Massachusetts) has conducted an analysis of the $2.6 billion global ultrasound market and reported that the largest contributor to growth in the obstetrics and gynecology segment of the market is the adoption of 4-D imaging systems.

“The surge in demand has unintentionally spawned a gray market in fetal videos that have no pressing medical purpose,“ said David Plow, senior analyst at MRG. “Gray market prenatal ultrasounds have been subject to resounding condemnation by the [FDA] because it views this as an unapproved use of a medical device.“

Millennium Research Group is a provider of technology market intelligence and strategic information to the health care sector.